Staff reporter
Bloemfontein – The embattled Premier of Free State, Joyce Mathae is distancing herself from the husband and speaker of Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, Lawrence Mathae in the now infamous R269 million tender scandal.
Mathae who serves as the Treasurer General of African National Congress Women’s League (ANCWL) will be appearing before the Integrity Commission(IC) following the explosive allegations made by Patrick Phuti, Chief Executive Officer of New Beginning Project.
In what can be seen as the first admission of the text Phuti sent and that’s not fake at least, a letter from Hannes Peyper of Peyper Attorneys in possession of this publication confirms the text was indeed sent to Mathae.
“It is our instructions that you dispatched a WhatsApp message to Me MaqueenMathae on Monday, 27 September 2024, at 20:20 with various false allegations that our clients are involved in inappropriate dealings with yourself and/or certain service providers.
Our clients herewith record that they were not involved in any of the dealings referred to in your WhatsApp message.”
Peyper made it clear he by “clients” he meant the Mathaes.
“We act on behalf of Mr Lawrence Mathae, in his personal capacity and in his capacity as the Speaker of the MangaungMetro Municipality, as well as Me Macqueen Mathae, in her personal capacity and her capacity as the Premier of the Free State Province (collectively referred to as our clients).”
In a separate letter, sent to Phuti, Joyce Mathae is represented by Zola Majavu.
In that letter, Majavu refers to LawranceMathate as ex-husband.
“Firstly, and for avoidance of doubt, we only hold instructions on behalf of the Premier and not her, jointly with ex-husband Mr Lawrence Mathae.”
Unlike in the letter from Peyper that confirms the date and time stamp of the text Phuti sent to Mathae, Majavu asked Phuti to confirm if the text is indeed from him.
“We wish you to confirm that you are indeed the author thereof of disavow it.”
Majavu goes further to tell Phuti if he has an axe to grind he should direct such or make allegations to him directly.
“Our client is her own persona distinct from her ex-husband. The extend that you might have an axe to grind with her ex-husband, you are directed to raise such issues or make those allegations to him directly.”
Both these letters were sent to Phuti on the same day, 11 October 2024.
Politically Exposed Person (PEP) directly addressing position and influence in politics.
This is developing story.
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